Kyle Manzardo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Kyle Manzardo ripped a two-run blast off of Sam Long in the fifth inning, which proved to be the game-winning hit for the Guardians on Sunday. Manzardo enjoyed an impressive series against the Kansas City Rotays, going 5-for-11 with a pair of long balls, three walks, four extra base hits, three runs scored, and six RBI. With Jose Ramirez (wrist) sitting out on Sunday, Manzardo occupied the three-spot in the lineup, batting behind Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas, who each got on base five times in the contest. Manzardo is making a case to stick around at the top of the order and has become one of the hottest waiver-wire pickups after Opening Weekend. Fantasy managers looking for production at their utility spot or some power in their lineup will want to pick him up before someone else does.

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo carried the offense on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with a homer, a triple, and a double. This was an extremely encouraging start for the former top prospect, who possesses massive raw power but looked overpowered by his first taste of major league pitching in 2024. He did hit all five of his home runs last season in September, and it certainly looks like he's carrying that momentum straight into 2025. He is in line for everyday playing time at DH in the heart of the Guardians' lineup and has the potential to be a must-start fantasy player if everything breaks right.

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (shoulder) was scratched from Friday's Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants due to left-shoulder inflammation. For now, we'll consider Manzardo to be day-to-day, but with Opening Day less than a week away, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should prepare for the possibility that the 24-year-old left-handed hitter may be forced to open the 2025 season on the injured list. We should have a better idea about his availability for the start of the regular season by the end of the weekend. The former second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 out of Washington State made his big-league debut in Cleveland last year and hit .234 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 41 K's in 53 games, but he looked better to close out the year and in the playoffs, and he should be a lineup regular as the DH in 2025. Manzardo has 20-25-homer upside.